More than 300 division employees attended the "Zero Waste" Employee Recognition Picnic and helped to divert more than 160 pounds of waste from landfills.

This summer, the Division of Facilities Services combined two strategic initiatives into one event at the "Zero Waste" Employee Recognition Picnic, held July 24 to honor the dedication and performance of division employees.

By integrating the strategic goals of increasing the campus waste diversion rate to 30 percent and stakeholder recognition the Zero Waste picnic would be eligible to receive the division's Vision Award. Vision Award recipients are presented to five Facilities employees at each of two events held annually.

"Zero Waste maximizes recycling, minimizes waste and reduces consumption," said Grant Powell, assistant director of Distribution Services and a member of the division's recognition committee. "For our event it means making sure you only take what you need and when you are done with it, you put it into the right place, like the composting bin."

Toni Dean, administrative assistant and fellow recognition committee member, coordinated the purchase of plates, napkins, cups and utensils to make sure everything was compostable. The picnic was a major success, with the 300-plus employees in attendance diverting 160 pounds of "waste" from entering the landfill.

Compost hauling service was provided by Blue Skies.

Vision Awards are presented to recognize exemplary employee's efforts based on the exhibition of Division's core values: P.R.I.D.E.: Passion in their work; Resourceful in how they work; Innovative in bringing about change in their work; Dependable in their work with others; Expertise used and developed in their work.

All nominations and letters of support are submitted by a coworker, supervisor, division employee or other internal or external stakeholders who have experienced the employee's superior performance or service.